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Chevy Chase Today
By the People, for the People
Race Car Bar Reopens in Chevy Chase with New Look
The iconic auto-themed bar has returned after a major renovation, joining other new openings around D.C. this month.
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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The treasured Race Car Bar in Chevy Chase, Maryland has made a comeback after undergoing a large-scale renovation. The bar, known for its antique race cars and racing memorabilia, now features a refurbished design and is hosting live music from local artists every Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m. This is one of several new restaurant and bar openings around the D.C. area this month, including the return of the Italian mainstay Acqua al 2 on Capitol Hill and the debut of Maru San, a quick-serve spot for Nikkei-style cuisine from a decorated Peruvian chef.
Why it matters
The reopening of the Race Car Bar is a significant event for the Chevy Chase community, as the iconic auto-themed bar has been a local landmark for years. Its return, along with other new openings around D.C., highlights the continued vitality and evolution of the region's dining and nightlife scene, even in the face of pandemic-era challenges.
The details
The Race Car Bar in Chevy Chase has undergone a major renovation, with a refurbished design that still features its signature antique race cars and racing memorabilia. The bar is now hosting live music from local artists every Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m., and is also offering Wine Wednesdays with half-off bottles starting at 5 p.m. Other notable openings this month include the return of the Italian restaurant Acqua al 2 on Capitol Hill, which had previously closed in 2020, and the debut of Maru San, a quick-serve spot for Nikkei-style cuisine from a decorated Peruvian chef.
- The Race Car Bar in Chevy Chase reopened in early February 2026 after a large-scale renovation.
- Acqua al 2 made a surprise comeback on Capitol Hill in February 2026, returning to the same space it had occupied before closing in 2020.
- Maru San, a quick-serve spot for Nikkei-style cuisine, debuted on Friday, February 20, 2026.
The players
Race Car Bar
An iconic auto-themed bar in Chevy Chase, Maryland that has been a local landmark for years.
Acqua al 2
An Italian restaurant that previously operated on Capitol Hill, closed in 2020, and has now made a surprise comeback in the same space.
Maru San
A new quick-serve spot for Nikkei-style cuisine, debuting in Capitol Hill and run by decorated Peruvian chef Carlos Delgado.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
The takeaway
The reopening of the Race Car Bar in Chevy Chase, along with other new restaurant and bar openings around D.C., demonstrates the continued resilience and evolution of the region's dining and nightlife scene, even in the face of pandemic-era challenges. These openings highlight the diverse culinary offerings and community-driven values that make D.C. a vibrant destination for food and drink enthusiasts.
